REGISTRATION NO. NOT CURRENTLY REGISTERED
Details
1916 DOUGLAS TWIN-CYLINDER MOTOR CYCLE
Registration No. Not currently registered
Frame No. tba
Engine No. tba
For Restoration
Engine: horizontally opposed air-cooled twin cylinder, 349cc; Transmission: two-speed gearbox, belt drive. Brake: single rear brake.
Douglas motor cycles began to emerge from the Bristol factory set up by William Douglas in 1907. By 1912 they had progressed enough to be a force to be reckoned with in the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races. The 2.27hp two-speed, horizontally opposed Douglas won that year's Junior race at 39.65mph. There were many other successes in competitions of every kind.
By virtue of its pioneering engine layout, the Douglas ran more smoothly than many of its competitors. Demand for it was brisk and, by the standards of the time, the company soon became a major British manufacturer producing over 12,000 motorcycles before the end of 1914. The 1913 catalogue listed four models, ranging from the perhaps overly basic Model N, with a freewheel but no gearbox, to the two-speed Model R, complete with foot controlled clutch and kickstarter.
Robust, lively and easily maintained, the Douglas was a logical choice for use by British Army despatch riders in the First World War. There was a recruiting campaign to find experienced riders and the War Office placed very large orders, Douglas producing over 25,000 machines before the Armistice ended hostilities in 1918. For several years after the war there was a strong market in overhauled ex-War Department motorcycles, of which this is understood to have been one.
This example of a two-speed 1916 WD Douglas has been owned and ridden with great satisfaction for very many years by the vendor. Although now in need of total restoration, it represents an opportunity to acquire a machine with interesting provenance. It is offered Without Reserve.
Registration No. Not currently registered
Frame No. tba
Engine No. tba
For Restoration
Engine: horizontally opposed air-cooled twin cylinder, 349cc; Transmission: two-speed gearbox, belt drive. Brake: single rear brake.
Douglas motor cycles began to emerge from the Bristol factory set up by William Douglas in 1907. By 1912 they had progressed enough to be a force to be reckoned with in the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races. The 2.27hp two-speed, horizontally opposed Douglas won that year's Junior race at 39.65mph. There were many other successes in competitions of every kind.
By virtue of its pioneering engine layout, the Douglas ran more smoothly than many of its competitors. Demand for it was brisk and, by the standards of the time, the company soon became a major British manufacturer producing over 12,000 motorcycles before the end of 1914. The 1913 catalogue listed four models, ranging from the perhaps overly basic Model N, with a freewheel but no gearbox, to the two-speed Model R, complete with foot controlled clutch and kickstarter.
Robust, lively and easily maintained, the Douglas was a logical choice for use by British Army despatch riders in the First World War. There was a recruiting campaign to find experienced riders and the War Office placed very large orders, Douglas producing over 25,000 machines before the Armistice ended hostilities in 1918. For several years after the war there was a strong market in overhauled ex-War Department motorcycles, of which this is understood to have been one.
This example of a two-speed 1916 WD Douglas has been owned and ridden with great satisfaction for very many years by the vendor. Although now in need of total restoration, it represents an opportunity to acquire a machine with interesting provenance. It is offered Without Reserve.